Marcos wants measures to protect PH banana industry

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. has ordered urgent measures to safeguard the country’s banana industry, to protect farmers’ livelihoods and preserve the Philippines’ standing in the global market.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said the Department of Agriculture has already requested funding to assist banana farms, especially those operated by smallholder growers.
 
“Nagkaroon na rin po ng direktiba ang Pangulo patungkol po dito at humingi na rin po ang Department of Agriculture ng pondo para po sa pest and disease [control] para sa banana farmers,” Castro said.

(The President has a directive regarding this and the Department of Agriculture already asked for funds for pest and disease control for banana farmers.) 

This came after Senator Imee Marcos urged the DA and other government agencies to prioritize banana production and research, warning of a steep decline in the country's market share in key destinations such as Japan and China.

The senator stated that the banana sector is facing a multifaceted crisis that marketing alone cannot resolve, citing high production costs, the persistent threat of Panama disease, and unfavorable trade agreements as the primary factors eroding competitiveness.

"Marketing efforts, while appreciated, cannot solve the fundamental issues we are facing," Marcos said. "Our high production costs create a domino effect. We need a strategy built on 'production, production, production'--not importation of agricultural products,'' Imee said in a separate press release.

Imee emphasized that the banana industry remains a vital economic pillar, sustaining hundreds of thousands of livelihoods. 

"Let us work together on a concerted, strategic plan to secure the future of this sector and restore the Philippines' position as a leading banana exporter," she said.—LDF, GMA Integrated News